Beijing (TDI): During a high-level diplomatic visit to Beijing, India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar urged China to take steps toward easing military tensions and lifting trade restrictions as part of efforts to restore normalcy in bilateral relations.
Meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday, Jaishankar underscored the need for both countries to reduce troops along their disputed Himalayan border and address unresolved points of friction.
His trip marks the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to China since 2020, when deadly clashes in the Galwan Valley plunged relations into a prolonged chill.
“The progress made over the last nine months in stabilizing ties has largely stemmed from the easing of tensions along the Line of Actual Control,” Jaishankar said, referring to the contested frontier that stretches nearly 3,800 kilometers (2,400 miles).
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Wang Yi echoed the sentiment, calling the improvement in ties “hard-earned” and something that should be preserved. According to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang emphasized the importance of mutual trust and cooperation, rather than rivalry or suspicion.
The two sides fought a brief but intense war in 1962 over the border and have since engaged in decades of negotiations with limited results. Their frontier remains poorly demarcated, with regular patrol stand-offs and occasional skirmishes.
Last month, India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also raised the issue during talks with his Chinese counterpart, calling for a lasting solution to the border dispute.
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Jaishankar reiterated that de-escalation on the ground remains essential and added that trade ties must not be hampered by barriers or restrictive policies. “Creating obstacles to trade undermines efforts toward constructive cooperation,” he said.
Wang, in response, said China is open to greater dialogue with India, particularly in areas tied to global supply chain stability and the multilateral trading system. “Beijing is ready to work with New Delhi to uphold the principles of free trade and ensure industrial continuity,” he said.
Both ministers acknowledged that while challenges remain, sustained engagement is vital to building a durable and cooperative relationship between Asia’s two largest nations.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
